Quantitative approach.

A structured household survey was conducted in local language by trained enumerators using Survey Solutions software (version 20.01, The World Bank, Washington DC, USA) in Bekasi and Qualtrics software (Qualtrics, Provo, UT, USA) in Metro (Tables K and L in S1 Text). The household survey covered a range of themes about the household, water sources used and perceptions of water service attributes. Questions about the household included themes on health and socio-economic status, water management and decision-making. Self-supply water sources were defined as groundwater sources (boreholes, protected dug wells or unprotected dug wells) that were privately owned by a household. Questions on water source usage considered alternative water sources such as public water services, neighbor’s water supplies and packaged water (bottled water, refill water) and differentiated between wet and dry season. Questions on water perception included a ranking of attributes that influence households’ water choices and reasons for the use and non-use of different water services. Descriptive analysis was performed in Microsoft Office Excel 2016 and statistical analysis software R (version 1.2.5001, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). R package “DescTools” was used to calculate proportions and corresponding confidence intervals (CI). CIs for binominal proportions were calculated using the “BinomCI” function based on the Clopper-Pearson method, while CIs for multinominal proportions were calculated using the “MultinomCI” function based on the Sisonglaz method. Explanations of the various water sources used can be found in the supplementary material (Table A in S1 Text).

Qualitative approach.

Following descriptive analysis of the household survey, a question guide for in-depth interviews was prepared covering themes on water choice, perception, management and decision-making. Household selection for the 24 in-depth interviews was carried out on a purposive basis to cover a range of household characteristics. The households were selected based on a sampling strategy to maximize the diversity relevant to the research question. Considered characteristics for household selection included gender of the head of household, gender of responsible person/s for water related tasks, gender of responsible person/s for decision-making processes, shared or single responsibility and decision-making, household wealth, marital status, and disability. Use of a self-supply source and ownership of a mobile phone were pre-requisites for selection. Information on household characteristics was obtained from analysis of the questions from the household survey. For the characteristics of the purposive selected households for the in-depth interviews, see the supplementary material (Tables B and C in S1 Text). Households were listed and categorized based on the gender of the head of household (female/male) and the wealth of household (poor/middle/non-poor). The categorization of the household wealth was conducted based on the tertiles of the calculated wealth index of households. The wealth index was constructed for households in Bekasi and Metro using the same approach as the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) based on the relevant indicators and corresponding values [37]. Information on 23 relevant indicators such as household asset ownership, dwelling structure, type of cooking fuel and household composition were collected in the structured household survey. For each study site, a priority list including 12 households was created, taking into account shared or sole (female/male) responsibility for water related tasks and decision-making processes in a way that increases diversity. We also determined the responsibility for water related tasks was shared or assumed by a sole female or male household member from the results of the four household survey questions on water related tasks (Table K in S1 Text, questions 59–62 for Bekasi, Table L in S1 Text, questions 38–42 for Metro). Households where the respondent was the head of household were prioritized. If a mobile phone number was not available, households were exchanged with households from the backup list with similar characteristics. In-depth interviews were conducted by phone in local language and responses were recorded, transcribed and translated into English. The transcribed information was coded manually in Microsoft Office Word and Excel 2016 using a deductive approach to capture the relevant themes on self-supply water quality (risks, mitigation strategies, perceptions), water availability, water choices (reasons for non-use, perception of alternative water sources), workload (roles, responsibilities, decision-making) and conflicts.

Private dug well.

Use. Private dug wells were primarily used as a water source for drinking and domestic purposes in Metro, but were also used by a few households in Bekasi. Descriptive analysis from the household survey showed that water from private dug wells was used as a main source for drinking (Bekasi: 6%, n = 18, Metro: 47%, n = 138) and domestic purposes (Bekasi: 6%, n = 17, Metro: 65%, n = 191) at both study sites, but particularly in Metro (Table 1). Of the 24 in-depth interviewed households in Bekasi and Metro, 21 owned or had owned in the past a private dug well. Of those, 12 households still used the water from dug wells for drinking and/or domestic purposes. Among these 12 households, the water from the dug wells was used by ten in-depth interview informants for drinking and by ten for domestic uses such as washing clothes, showering and cooking. Ten households had subsequently replaced the dug well with a borehole (Table D in S1 Text).

Water quality. Water quality perceptions for dug wells were mixed and water treatment was common. Half of the in-depth interview informants perceived the water quality of dug wells as good, as one informant said “The water from the dug well is safe to drink, [it is] clear and tastes good and fresh”. However, the other half reported water quality concerns such as cloudy or turbid water. One informant constructed a borehole because the water quality of his dug well had decreased “In the past we used a dug well but now it leaks, the water cannot be used, the water is black like sewage water.” If the self-supplied water was used for drinking, informants reported boiling it before consumption to avoid health issues. “My child said, if the water is not boiled, the stomach bloats. When the water is boiled, [it is] sweet.” One informant in Metro observed turbid water during the rainy season and let the mud settle before boiling, “If it rains, the well water for cooking and drinking is deposited in a container overnight. In the morning, we take water with a scoop, then we boil it”.

Water availability. The perception of water availability was mixed, with poor availability reported during the dry season, resulting in dug wells being replaced or deepened. Descriptive analysis from the household survey showed that in Metro, 32% (n = 18) of the surveyed dug well owners had to deepen the dug well at least once. Also in Bekasi, where boreholes were prevalent, the well/borehole and/or pump setting was deepened by 13% (n = 33) and 10% (n = 25) of the surveyed households, respectively (Table E in S1 Text). The well/borehole had gone dry in the past 12 months for 30.4% (n = 7) of the 23 responding households in Bekasi, and in 18.6% (n = 11) of the 59 responding households in Metro (Table J in S1 Text). Half the in-depth interview informants were not satisfied with the water availability of dug wells and explained that dug wells were often deepened or replaced with a borehole, since dug wells dry out during dry season. For example, one informant in Metro described it as follows “In the dry season, water from the well is like a kid peeing”. Another informant in Metro had to deepen the dug well several times, as he said: “[The] first [deepening] was 4m due to drought, [after another] deepening, the water came out [and] it was clear. Again drought [came], [so the dug well was] deepened again to 6m [depth], again drought, again deepened 2m, it [the water] was clear. Now the water is in a constant high flow, but the color has changed [no longer clear].”

Reasons for non-use. Reasons for the non-use of dug wells were connected to the amount of work involved, the large space required, unsatisfactory water quality and availability and lack of protection for children. Dug wells were often used with a bucket and rope or hand pump, which was associated with a higher workload than using a borehole with a motorized pump. One informant explained “The dug well was often dry. Draw water was tiring, [so we] replaced the dug well with a borehole and a Sanyo pump [Sanyo: Brand of a motorized water pump]. The Sanyo pump is more practical, [since it] doesn’t need human power.” Compared to bottled or refill water, water from dug wells needed to be boiled before consumption, which was also associated with a higher workload. Eight informants elected not to use their dug wells because of the workload, as one widow explained: “[In the past], when [I was] still strong, [I] looked for wood to boil [the water]. The wood was abundant. Now [I am] no longer strong enough to boil water, so [I] buy water in gallons.” Descriptive results from the household survey on the fuel used for boiling water showed that liquified petroleum gas (LPG) was the most common fuel for water boiling in Bekasi (96%, n = 288) and Metro (96%, n = 287), however wood was still used by 28.1% (n = 84) in Metro (Table F in S1 Text). Another informant who owned a dug well instead used refill water for drinking, since well water used for drinking needed to be boiled and it was turbid during rainy season: “[Usually] I’m too lazy to boil the water. [But] when I boil [the water], [I] usually let it [the water] stand first to let the dirt settle to the bottom of the container.” Dug wells were also perceived by two informants as being unsafe for children: “Dug wells can be worrying because there are many children who could fall into the well.” A further reason for the replacement included that dug wells required larger land area than boreholes: “Dug wells are no longer used because they require more open land and are not safe for small children.”

Private borehole.

Use. Private boreholes were mostly used as a water source for drinking and domestic purposes in Bekasi, but were also frequently used in Metro. Descriptive analysis from the household survey showed that water from private boreholes was used for drinking (Bekasi: 48%, n = 144, Metro: 13%, n = 39) and domestic purposes (Bekasi: 72%, n = 217, Metro: 21%, n = 61) at both study sites, but particularly in Bekasi (Table 1). Of the 24 households participating in the in-depth interviews in Bekasi and Metro, 12 households owned a private borehole. Of those, 11 households used it for drinking and 10 for domestic purposes. Informants also reported that borehole water was an important source of water not only for drinking, but also for daily needs: “Borehole water is used quite a lot for washing clothes [and] watering plants. For daily needs [it is] collected in a large tub.” In the past, households often used dug wells, which have been replaced by a borehole with a motorized pump, as one respondent explained: “It is more practical, [I] don’t need to draw water, the water flows out directly from the tap.”

Water quality. The quality of water from private boreholes was mostly perceived as good though water was still commonly boiled. A deterioration of water quality was, however, perceived during rainy season. Two-thirds of the interviewed households perceived water quality from boreholes as clear and good, as for example one respondent said “The dug well is not closed, but the well that is being used is a borehole. The borehole is equipped with a Sanyo pump. The water from the borehole is good, the water is clear.” One respondent mentioned the importance of using clean water for the religious purification ritual and linked this use with safety for drinking, “The important thing is that the water has no odor. If the pure water can be used for wudhu [ritual purity for Muslim], it is drinkable.”

All interviewed households reported boiling the water from boreholes before drinking and a few respondents linked the boiling of water to potential health concerns. “[When] the water is boiled, [it] does not make you feel sick to the stomach.” A difference between boiled and non-boiled borehole water was also perceived by another informant, as he mentioned “the children said that the non-boiled water spoils the stomach.”

However, three interviewed households perceived an increased risk of water contamination compared to the past, as one informant noted: “The water is good, [it is] safe to drink, but when [it is] raining there is white colored dirt. Back then, when [we were] using [a] dug well with a bucket, there was no white [colored dirt], the water remained clear.” Another informant linked the contamination directly to a potential source: “After the landfill exists, the water from the drilled well is getting oily.”

Some potential risks for water quality deterioration were mentioned during the interviews. If asked whether the motorized Sanyo pump is submerged in runoff during rainfall, one respondent replied: “Yes the Sanyo is soaked. There is a roof as cover for the pump.” Further, a few respondents indirectly indicated a potential issue of bacteria growth in pipes from boreholes, as one respondent explained, "The tube is cleaned once a week. It becomes slimy after a while. There is moss inside the tube. I saw it myself, when I saw the water from Sanyo, it was slimy on the inside of the tube, sometimes it is cleaned. [I am] afraid that the moss will get thicker the longer it goes. [I am] afraid that the tube will get clogged. Then it becomes more work."

Water availability. Results from the household survey suggested self-supply provides a relatively reliable service, but the in-depth interviews revealed water scarcity problems during the dry season, and therefore households often shifted from shallow dug wells to deeper boreholes. In the household survey, 97.2% (n = 176) and 97.0% (n = 258) households reported to have water available the past two weeks in Bekasi and Metro, respectively (Table I in S1 Text). However, ten in-depth interviewed households had replaced the dug wells with boreholes, partly for the reason to improve the water availability. An informant from Bekasi explained, that people in Bekasi use boreholes, because the water is better and more reliable. In Metro, availability of water was noted to improve when a dug well was replaced with a deeper borehole: “Initially, [I] used a dug well [with a rope and bucket]. But when it is dry, there is often no water. So I started using a borehole (35 m) three to four years ago. The dug well is about 10m deep, and if the well is dug again, it will collapse, so I don’t dare [to deepen the dug well].” Three in-depth informants reported that even with boreholes, water shortages were still experienced during dry season, “[Water from the] borehole is decreasing during the dry season for at least one month. It [the location of the borehole] has been moved three times. [Previously, when it was] next to the house bedroom, it was equipped with a hand pump. Now the borehole is located at the house yard.” or “Last dry season, the water from the well decreased and one had to wait a while for water to come out after turning on the Sanyo pump. The Sanyo pump was lowered once”.

To counteract availability issues and to save time, some households stored the collected water from boreholes. One respondent with a 100 liter storage container explained: "So, it won’t take long. After it is used for washing, showering, there is still some left. If the lights go out [no electricity], the remaining water can still be used." Another household reported to store the water after boiling, as he said “Drinking water after being boiled is collected in a bucket with a volume of 30 liters for about 5 days.”

Reasons for non-use. Private boreholes were a preferred source of drinking water for most households in Bekasi, however boiling water can be tiring and households typically used multiple water sources for different purposes. One main reason for the switch to refill water for drinking was linked to the hassle of boiling the borehole water, as for private dug wells. “For drinking, the process is long. [The water] must be boiled first. Sometimes turning on the stove first. So that is quite something." One informant even reported a deterioration in water quality due to boiling using firewood, as he said, “Every week I boil two gallons of water and store the boiled water in the clean gallon. [I] put it first in the pan and then pour it into the gallon. The special characteristic of the boiled water is smoky, because it is boiled using firewood.” Households used multiple water sources for different purposes, as one informant said, “For drinking, it is refill water. But when it comes to making tea, it is borehole water. And that is not much, one teapot at most.” Even if informants used borehole water, alternative sources provided a useful back-up option, as one informant proposed: “Maybe we can use both, the water from the artesian well and [the water] from the borehole. For backup, one could say. If the water from my borehole fails, that means the water from the artesian well is available, right.” One respondent mentioned the possibility to get access to clean borehole water from mosques, “If they don’t have a well, it will be difficult. Sometimes, they also go to the mosque. There is government aid [subsidies] for [drilling] boreholes [in mosques]. Take the water from there. If it is in the mosque, it is free. And mosques can get a discount from PLN [State Electricity Company]."

Another reason for the non-use of private boreholes was the high cost of construction. In the household survey, 24.0% (n = 12) of respondents in Bekasi and 39.4% (n = 13) of respondents in Metro reported high construction costs as a reason for not using private boreholes (Table G in S1 Text). In the in-depth interviews, one dug well owner in Metro stated the cost of seven million rupiah (approximately 460 USD) as a reason for not using a private borehole. Another respondent in Metro, when asked why he did not use a borehole, replied, “Yes, later. I am waiting for the [money] transfer”.

One informant expressed his concern regarding the increasing use of boreholes: "If everyone uses boreholes, it would be a pity for the one without. So it can be dry, left and right. I think there needs to be a regulation. Except, if the neighbor doesn’t have any water, he gives it, it is okay maybe, there is a solution. Now if they are using boreholes, maybe it is just for them, right? Left and right neighbors can’t get water, it is a pity thing."

Public water services.

Use. A few households used public piped systems as a water source to supplement self-supply for domestic purposes, but most households did not have access to public piped systems. Descriptive analysis from the household survey showed that public water services, including public boreholes, dug wells, piped systems and taps, were commonly used as a main source of water for domestic purposes (Bekasi: 20%, n = 60, Metro: 9%, n = 26). However, 75% (n = 224) and 36% (n = 101) households reported that public piped service does not supply water to this area in Bekasi and Metro, respectively (Table G in S1 Text). Of the interviewed households, 13 did not have access to public piped services fed either from surface water or groundwater from artesian aquifers. Eight households used water from public piped water supplies. The water was not used for cooking or drinking, but as an additional source of water to supplement and backup self-supply for daily needs only, such as washing or watering plants. “Given piped water is okay for flushing, for washing motorbikes, for washing bicycles.”

One informant in Metro who was offered access to the piped network in front of his house did not use it and described the situation as follows: “Why should I use piped water? Well water is enough, there is no shortage. If you use public piped water, you will spend more money. The water from public piped water should be boiled, which means more work. Neighbors who use the public piped service may experience shortage during the dry season. […] Then the water quality is also bad. It can be black, and sometimes it smells. So people don’t use it for cooking. Usually they use it for watering flowers. That is all people say. I don’t use piped water anyway.

Water quality. Water quality of public piped water supplies was perceived negatively by households that had access and households that did not have access. "That is public piped water. The water is likely black-colored. If it is clear, it is clear, sometimes it is really black. In the rainy season, it is cloudy, it is black.” Another informant who did not have access said “The informants are not interested in public water services from artesian wells because the quality is not good. Public water service, it is lacking, the water is bad. Lots of sand.” Therefore, the water was generally not used for drinking or cooking, as one informant said: "Water is just for washing. For cooking or drinking, it is not quite suitable.” Also the smell of chlorine was unfavourable for consumers, as a respondent explained: "Everyone here has public pipes installed, but the water is bad. The water is a little cloudy. Second, the smell of chlorine. So not all of us use public water services. So, in the end it stopped. In 1995–1996 there was no public water service.“

One informant who used the public supply which was connected to his sibling’s house was happy with the quality, as he said "Same taste, same clearness, but not every day [the water flow] is smooth". He did not have to pay and saw the connection as beneficial. "There are many benefits, saving a lot of electricity. Sometimes [I] wash [e.g. laundry, not showering] using water from public water services.", he said.

Water availability. Problems were identified with public piped water supply in terms of access, reliability and availability of water. Many households still did not have access to a piped water service, and some were not even aware of this as a water supply option, with an informant replying: “There isn’t one. It is in the village, not in the city.” Public piped water did not reach all households equally; therefore, not all households could get access to pipe connections, as for example one informant said “My house is far from the road, so I can’t get a pipe from the government or urban village. My house is inside, so the connections are far away”. Another respondent from the same district mentioned the same issue “The pipe network is unevenly distributed. Here too. There is no pipe. The artesian pipes are mainly located only next to the main road. It is said that it will be installed gradually, per community association (RT–rukun tetangga). It is said that the pipe network installation for my community association will be done later. But after some time, it is not installed yet. But it is alright.”

A decrease in the water availability was also perceived from public piped services based on groundwater, “In the dry season, water from artesian wells also decreases, so the distribution must be in shifts.” Public water service is also not always reliable, as one informant said “Water from public water services does not always flow, the benefit is saving electricity usage.” Another informant mentioned that the public piped supply was broken since a long time. “Previously there was piped water from the landfill artesian well [artesian well was constructed as the compensation of the new landfill], but it had been damaged for a long time by a neighbor’s children. Water from the artesian well was used only for washing, not for drinking.”

Reasons for non-use. Most households did not have the possibility to connect to public piped services because they were not available in these regions (Table G in S1 Text). However, if available, public piped services were generally not used due to several reasons such as lack of trust, lack of reliability, perceived bad smell of chlorine, costs, and the preference for self-supply water. Descriptive results from the household survey showed that most households would not connect if public services were to expand infrastructure to their area (Bekasi: Definitely not n = 108, 38%; Metro: Unlikely n = 132, 52%) (Table H in S1 Text).

A major reason for not using piped water was the general preference of groundwater self-supply. Three respondents associated the preference for private supply over public supply with the taste of chlorine, "Well water is better because if water is from public piped service, there is a taste of chlorine, maybe we are not used to chlorine. The well water has no [chlorine taste]. It is pure." Respondents connect the taste of chlorine with medicine, "It tastes different, smells like medicine. What smell, I don’t know. It does not smell good." One respondent mentioned a preference for groundwater supplied from public boreholes owned by mosques compared to the chlorinated public piped water because of the chlorine taste “Once, I opened it [public piped service], the water was not good. Maybe too much chlorine. Medicine [refers to chlorine] is added to the public piped water, right? This morning, I took the water at the mosque because I avoided the chlorine. We are not used to the smell of chlorine. Water from the mosque is good, [it is] from boreholes, a support from the mosque. The borehole is a government aid. I only take two gallons to boil drinking water. However for washing clothes and showering, we use water from the dug well.”

Public services were also not perceived as reliable sources of water for some households, as one informant said “People who get artesian piped water also have [private] wells, because artesian water doesn’t always flow every day, it just flows at midnight. What is the point if the water only flows at night.”

Respondents did not want to pay for bad public services, if they already had access from self-supply. "If I had to pay, I would change my mind. Roughly speaking, only for daily needs we made the effort [and] dug [the well]. For Sanyo water [from private borehole], we do not need to pay for as much as we use.” However, if water from public supply were reliable, people would also be willing to connect, as one informant said “I also want to pay as long as the water is good and abundant, proportional to the usage. It is natural if we use it [public piped water]. The [use of the] public piped water is the recommendation of the government.”

Packaged water.

Use. Packaged water was frequently used as a drinking water supplement for self-supply. Refill water and branded bottled water were commonly used as a main drinking water source by households in Bekasi (21%, n = 63) and Metro (21%, n = 61). Of the 24 interviewed households, six households mentioned drinking refill water and seven bottled branded water. Many households used refill water as a backup for self-supply, as one informant explained “[I] buy gallon water—refill water—when there is no more water.”

Packaged water was considered as practical and hassle-free, since it did not need to be boiled. “The refill water [is practical] if you want to have an event, any gathering, just buy refilled water. Let it be easy, let it be practical, that’s it. The drinking water for families is still boiled water." Thus, informants also drank bottled water if they got invited "when I go to a wedding invitation, I drink bottled water. Therefore, I know that bottled water is tasteless." It was also consumed if household members did not wish to go to the effort of boiling water. "[I am] already not strong enough to boil water, so [I] buy gallon water, [it costs] 5000 rupiah.”

Water quality. Water quality of bottled branded water was perceived as good, while some respondents believed refill water led to health issues. Water quality of bottled branded water was perceived as good by seven of eight in-depth informants. However, 11 of 14 informants perceived the water quality of refill water as poor. Refill water consumers needed to get used to the taste, as one informant elaborated "According to my tongue, the taste is different. I’m more confident with boiled water, out of habit, maybe. Habit from childhood.” However, other respondents might already be used to the taste. "The taste of gallon water and well water is the same." Many refill water consumers reported health issues and feeling bloated after drinking it, as one informant said: “Before, I wasn’t used to it, I had a bloated stomach. Now I’m used to it [and my stomach is] no longer bloated."

Reasons for non-use. Generally, the self-supply water source was preferred, which was often because of the taste. "I have never bought it… it tastes better when I boil it myself…" or “My water source is already good and clear. I don’t want to use refill water. I tried refill water, it is the same. But I and my children feel that refill water is tasteless. It is better to use my own source.”

Other informants had no trust in refill water and experience health issues, as one informant elaborated, “[There are] many fake branded bottled water, [I] had a stomachache. [I] experienced it myself when I went to Cirebon by bus [and] bought [a water bottle] from a street vendor, many were fake. The water was a bit cloudy and the taste was different. The branded bottled water has a hint of sweetness”. Also in the household survey, 29% (n = 57) and 38% (n = 81) of households reported as a main reason for the non-use that refill water is unsafe to drink.

Reasons for non-use were also the costs, with packaged branded water having higher costs than refill water. “Refill water is 7 thousand rupiah. Branded bottled water is more expensive, 17 thousand rupiah. People say branded bottled water is good. My child also likes boiled water." Even if refill water was seen as more practical, it could not always be used because of the cost, as one informant explained, "Refill water is more practical. After eating, [I] don’t have to bother boiling water or looking for a water container. There is refill water available, then it is okay. But if there is no money at all, then [I] have to boil water, just one teapot”.

Responsibility, workload and decision-making.

Water management tasks of self-supply services were usually distributed between female and male household members. Based on the descriptive results of the household survey, female household members were mostly responsible for managing water in home, while male household members were mostly responsible for maintenance and repairs, cleanliness of source and finance at both study sites (Fig 2). Approximately two-thirds of the surveyed households shared the responsibility of self-supply tasks between household members at both study sites (Fig 3). In one-third of the surveyed households in Bekasi, either only one male household member or one female household member was responsible for all the tasks. In Metro, it was more common for male household members to be solely responsible for all the tasks than female household members. Decisions related to self-supply were usually made jointly or were solely the responsibility of a man. In nearly half of the surveyed households in Bekasi, solely a man decided to invest in the construction of a dug well or borehole (Fig 3). In approximately 12% of the surveyed households, a woman solely decided to invest and in 24%, the decision was shared between different household members. In Metro, the decision-making was mostly joint by 67% of the households surveyed. In 25% of households, a man was the sole decision-maker, while in 8% of households a woman was the sole decision-maker.

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Fig 2. Responsibilities of self-supply tasks based on gender in Bekasi and Metro.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000070.g002

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Fig 3. Distribution of self-supply responsibilities and decision-making by gender.

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Household members usually cooperated on responsibilities and workload of self-supply services. One male informant explained, “I handle all the tools [tools to repair the well]. I’m the one who bought the Sanyo, installed it and turned it on. The boiling is the part of the wife. If there is any damage [of the well], it is my part [to repair it]. Yes, [it is] team work." Responsibilities were typically distributed such that the wife was responsible for managing the water in the home, while the husband took the lead in maintenance and repairs, cleanliness of the source, and finance. One woman in Metro reported that when her husband was still alive, he never boiled water to drink and that mostly women take care of the housework. “It is all me. My husband was just making money. My husband only helped sweeping the floor and not cooking. Cooking is women’s thing. Housework is women’s thing. The husband only helped cleaning the house, when he was not working. If there were no activities, [the husband] helped in the house, cleaning up. However, I think a lot of women take care of the house." Also specific tasks were shared amongst household members, as for example one wife told that she and her husband shared the responsibility to clean the bathtub. “If I see a dirty bathtub then I clean it. We always take turns to do it.” Broken pumps were usually repaired by external mechanics, as one woman told, “Since I have lived [here], the pump has broken once. [I] called someone to fix it “. Also a male informant from Metro told: “Boiling water is done together with the wife, washing is also done together. This morning, my wife was washing dishes, I was washing clothes.”

However, some respondents had specific gender norms and expectations regarding the roles of women and men. One woman said, “Water is my responsibility, wife’s job is at the kitchen then husband just eat.” When a women in Metro was asked why the man would not boil water, she replied: “Seriously, the man who boils water? Have you ever imagined a man boiling water?” The informant laughed and said, “No need. It is simple. Just turn the stove button, that is all. Take water, it is not difficult.”

Widows, people who were living alone and families with members with special needs faced increased challenges regarding workload. One widow said, “[if] there is no male, it is difficult, there is no head of the family.” Children were often helping with household chores, even with special needs. “My last child has special needs. She is just helping what she can. She can turn off the stove. Sweeping floor after waking up and after eating [she] does the dishes by herself. That is all she can do. She has only been able to walk for three months, previously she used a wheelchair.”

Decision-making related to self-supply was typically the responsibility of the head of the household. However, a few households reported a joint decision between household members related to self-supply. One woman explained that her husband determined the location of the well, but she made decisions related to household matters. She further explained, “That is my husband’s responsibility when the gas runs out. He is the one who is making money. I said we were running out of gas, so he told me to just buy it, then I bought it.”

Households usually share the water with the neighbors if they ask for it, when their well is dry or has bad quality. One informant in Metro elaborated “In fact, sometimes the neighbor’s well is dry. So they asked [for water] here.” When the dug well is dry, an informant in Metro explained “Usually I take water from my neighbors for two or three days, only for drinking. For showering or other things, I usually go to Ayuk [older sister’s] place.” Another informant in Metro answered when asking what if a neighbor asks for water and how many have asked for: “It is okay. Poor them. The water is turbid. A lot [have asked for water]. Ten houses. They draw it [the water] up themselves and use a jerry can to bring it home by motorbike.” However, one informant who relied on polluted water from a dug well decided to drill a borehole since he no longer felt comfortable to ask neighbors for water.